The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Guide: Recipes, How-Tos, Wine Pairings and More!
By: Sheri Wetherell
Published: November 20, 2017

Look no further for your Thanksgiving dinner planning! We've got turkey recipes (smoked, deep-fried, roasted, sous vide!), easy appetizer recipes, desserts and sides, even a wine pairing guide from our wine connoisseur friend, Jameson Fink! Also, check out our Thanksgiving Holiday Recipe Page here and don't miss these Pinterest boards for even more recipes!
	    •    Appetizers
	    •    Cocktails
	    •    Side Dishes
	    •    Salad Recipes
	    •    Desserts & Baking
	    •    Thanksgiving Recipes
	 



Learn How To Carve A Turkey Like A Pro!



6 Tips for the Perfect Roast Turkey
1.  Brine Your Turkey: Soaking in a brine will flavor the bird as well as keep it moist. Learn how by watching this video.
	2.  Flavor The Bird: Make sure to adequately salt and pepper the turkey and fill the cavity with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and lemons.
	3.  Dry the Skin Before Roasting: Don't forget to pat down the turkey before putting it in the oven.  The excess moisture will prevent the skin from getting crisp. (This does not include fat).
	4.  Use a Thermometer: A thermometer is the best way to check for doneness. It should register 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the bird.
	5.  Start the Oven High and then Lower the Temperature: Start the turkey at 425 degrees F to help crisp the skin for 20 minutes and then lower to 350 degrees F until cooked through.
	6.  Let the Turkey Rest Before Serving: Letting the turkey rest allows the juices to redistribute so that it will be moist and flavorful (this goes with any meat!).
Turkey! Turkey! Turkey!
Maple Glazed Turkey
 Contributed to Foodista by Nicole Aloni

"Closed Oven" Turkey
Contributed to Foodista by Taste and See


Simple Herb Roasted Turkey 
Contributed to Foodista by Alejandro Duarte

 Easy Deep Fried Turkey

 Photo: TheCookingPhotographer
 Easy Smoked Turkey

Photo: woodleywonderworks
Tender and Juicy Sous Vide Turkey Breast

Stuffings, Sides & Salads
 Jalapeño Cornbread Stuffing

 Photo: Silvia Song
Buttermilk Cornbread and Sage Stuffing

Photo: Maggie Hoffman
Apple, Cranberry & Sausage Stuffing
Courtesy of Empire Baking

Sourdough Stuffing with Sage Sausage and Apples

Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries and Hazelnuts (Gluten Free)

Porcini Mushroom Stuffing
	This mushroom stuffing is great in mushrooms as an appetizer or stuffed into your bird!

 Photo: Nikki L
Joël Robuchon’s Famous Pommes Puree Recipe (Buttery Mashed Potatoes)

  Mashed Potatoes with Garlic, Sage & Goat Cheese

 Havarti Dill Au Gratin Potatoes
 Contributed to Foodista by Seaweed & Sassafras

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble Topping

	  
Ginger Sweet Potato Casserole 
Contributed to Foodista by Bigelow Tea 
  
Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Honey Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Red Onions and Pancetta  
Contributed to Foodista by Diana Bauman

 Cauliflower and Broccoli Gratin With Camembert Cheese 
Contributed to Foodista by The Coffee Break


Homemade Green Bean Casserole

 Photo: tomcensani
Sweet Corn Pudding 
	Courtesy of My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking by Chef John Besh


Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Garlic
    
Photo: mkosut
  
 Pecan Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: mroach
  Easy Layered Creamed Spinach
	 
  Julia Child's Buttered Peas With Mint

	 
 Potato and Leek Gratin

 Photo: tristanf
  Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
	Contributed to Foodista by CandyGirl

  Easy Delicious Pan Gravy

Photo: Special*Dark
  Fennel and Orange Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts and Cranberries
Contributed to Foodista by Kiss My Spatula

 Arugula Salad with Pomegranate, Avocado and Goat Cheese
Contributed to Foodista by Winnie Abramson
 
 Southern Pear Salad

Photo: abyssalmissile
 Sardi's Hearts of Palm Salad

Photo: Nina Gallant
Fig, Apple and Roquette Arugula Salad
Contributed to Foodista by RAWk Me!
  
 No Cook Cranberry Relish

Mary Bogue's Outrageous Cranberries In Cabernet Sauvignon 

Photo: Veganbaking.net  
   Perfect 1-Hour Dinner Rolls

Appetizers
Things get hectic on Thanksgiving day and the last thing we want to spend precious time on is an elaborate appetizer spread. Those just spoil the appetite anyway! When it comes to holiday entertaining my philosophy is "half-homemade/half store-bought." Don't have time to make your own fresh Hummus? Buy a plain version and dress up the top with some herbs and a flavorful olive oil. In less than 10 minutes you can make your own Herb and Spiced Goat Cheese. Or, throw mushrooms in balsamic vinegar for some delicious Rosemary Thyme Marinated Mushrooms. Below are some more of my favorite easy, crowd-pleaser holiday appetizers that you can make without breaking a sweat. 
  Easy Herb and Spiced Goat Cheese  

 Dukkah 
	This delicious Egyptian nut and spice blend is excellent served with olive oil-dipped bread. 

  Quick and Easy Hummus

Photo: La.Blasco  
  Homemade Parmesan Thyme Crackers  

 Rosemary Thyme Marinated Mushrooms 

 Blue Cheese Stuffed Peppadew Peppers 
	Head for the olive bar in your supermarket and pick up some of those little red peppers. They're sweet and just a bit spicy - perfect for stuffing with a pungent cheese like a blue (they're also great with goat cheese!).

Holiday Spiced Nuts 

Photo: Girlichef
  Onion Cheese Puffs 

 Crispy Baked Chickpeas  

 Easy Brazilian Cheese Puffs (Pao de Queijo) 
Contributed to Foodista by Homemade Bites
	Just 3 ingredients! And, they're gluten free! 

 
Desserts
 
The Quintessential Apple Pie
Courtesy of Art of the Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce
 Contributed to Foodista by Cooking With Michele

 Pumpkin Bread Pudding

 Photo: Veganbaking.net
 Apple Pear Cranberry Crisp
Contributed to Foodista by Munchin with Munchkin

 Fabulous Poached Pear and Brown Butter Tart
Contributed to Foodista by Kasey Fleisher Hickey

   Pumpkin Latté Crème Brûlée
Contributed to Foodista by Culinary Crumbs

Cardamom Pear Upside-Down Cake
Contributed to Foodista by Chelsea Rutherford

Poached Pears in Red Wine
Contributed to Foodista by Living the Gourmet


Spicy and Savory Pumpkin Pie
 Contributed to Foodista by May I have that recipe?

   Meyer Lemony Apple Crumble
 Contributed to Foodista by Integral Living & Eating

   Southern Pecan Pie

	Photo: @joefoodie
	 
Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

	 
Wines to Pair with Thanksgiving Dinner
Courtesy of Jameson Fink - Wine Without Worry
  Sparkling Wine  
	What is more festive than bubbles? Not only are sparkling wines a great way to greet your guests at the door, they are also fantastic food wines. The bubbles and zest inherent in sparkling wines have a cleansing and refreshing effect on your palate as you transition from each distinct taste on your crowded holiday plate.
  Rosé
	 It's not just for summertime sipping. Dry rosé not only has the added benefit of looking pretty on the table, but is great with poultry and vegetables.
 Beaujolais 
	While Nouveau gets all the attention this time of year, I like to beat the drum for Beaujolais-Villages and Cru Beaujolais. Though made from the Gamay grape (like Nouveau), these are more serious expressions of Beaujolais that are wonderful with a slight chill and will convert any fan of lighter-style reds. Made from the best sites in the region, Cru Beaujolais has enough brawn to handle duck and even beef.
 Any Crisp, Dry White 
	You can't go wrong with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from any part of globe. I'm also fond of Gruner Veltliner from Austria, especially when you can get it in a cool one liter bottle, which makes it extra-sharable. Both are very good with green salads.
  Whatever You Like To Drink!
	 Zinfandel? Cabernet? Chardonnay? Saving a special bottle to share? Relax and enjoy the wines that make you happy. But be sure to try a few sips from everything on the table. With such an array of flavors on hand and within arm's reach, it's a great opportunity to sharpen your experience with food and wine pairings.